Peyton Manning to Announce Retirement After 18 Seasons

It was announced Sunday (March 6, 2016) that Denver Bronco quarterback Peyton Manning will be retiring after an amazing 18-year career. The Denver Broncos official website has announced that after four seasons in orange and blue, Manning will make it official Monday morning at an 11 a.m. MT press conference. Manning will "hang up his cleats," poetically enough after 18 seasons in the NFL, with the same number he has worn on his back the entire time in both Indianapolis and Denver.

In Manning's four seasons with the Broncos, he has led them to four straight AFC West championships, two Super Bowls, and one Super Bowl Championship. He has also set several passing records, both career and single season. In 2013 as a Denver Bronco, Manning arguably had one of the best seasons of all time, leading the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. That season, Manning set both single season records with 5,477 passing yards, 55 touchdown passes, on the way to winning his record fifth NFL MVP.

Unfortunately, after three amazing seasons, Manning suffered several injuries in 2015. This led to Manning missing seven games after a lackluster start to the season. This opened the door for backup quarterback Brock Osweiler to show what he could do, leading the team to a 5-2 record. However, when Manning was healthy, he once again took over behind center, adapted his game to rely on the team's number one defense, and led the team to a Super Bowl 50 Championship.

Manning spent his first 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, beating up on the Broncos and the rest of the NFL. While playing for the Colts, Manning let the team to two Super Bowl appearances, winning one against the Chicago Bears. After his time in Indianapolis, Manning was embraced with open arms when he joined the Broncos as a free agent, and will go down alongside John Elway as one of the best and most beloved quarterback in the team's history.

Manning's retirement announcement may have been foretold, as the Broncos offered Brock Osweiler a 3 year, $45 million deal the day before (Saturday, March 5, 2016) the announcement was made. Manning may have informed the team on Friday or Saturday, prompting them to try to lock down Osweiler before he hits the open market later this week.